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News and Events
‘First, Do Good’: Critical and Creative Responses to Iatrogenic Harm in Mental Health Practices
The 16th Annual Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Conference takes place on 8th and 9th November at Brookfield Health Sciences Complex
16th Annual Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Conference:
‘First, Do Good’: Critical and Creative Responses to Iatrogenic Harm in Mental Health Practices
Brookfield Health Sciences Complex
8 & 9 November 2024
School of Applied Social Studies, ISS21 & Critical Voices Network Ireland
Conference Theme
‘First do no harm’ is considered a key ethical principle in health and social care practices. Yet, over the years, we have heard many accounts of harm caused by coercion, neglect, overmedication, adverse drug reactions, loss of dignity and agency from people who have used/are using mental health services. We have also become aware of professionals who are concerned about potentially harmful caregiving practices but are afraid to speak out. The term ‘iatrogenic harm’ articulates these concerns, referring to the damage caused inadvertently by treatment and care, including diagnosis, intervention, error, or negligence.
This conference provided a space to explore issues of iatrogenic harm caused by mental health practices, seeking and sharing creative ways to move towards ‘First, do good’ practices.
Keynote speakers:
- Pat Bracken, Independent Consultant Psychiatrist, Ireland
- Jacqui Dillon, Activist, Writer, Educator and Chair of ISPS UK, England
- Agnes Higgins, Researcher, Professor in mental health nursing, Board member of Kyrie Farm and eternal optimist, and Mike Watts, Recovery activist, Ireland
- Mark Horowitz, clinical research fellow in Psychiatry and co-lead clinician of the Psychotropic Deprescribing Clinic at North East London NHS Foundation Trust, England
- Charles O’Mahony, Lecturer in Law, School of Law, University of Galway, Ireland
- Avril Scannell, Post Patient, Peer Advocate, and Deirdre Lillis, Advocate with SHEP (Social and Health Education Project) Advocacy Programme, Cork, Ireland
The full conference programme is available at: Programme Overview Mental Health Conference 2024
The Book of Abstracts is available at: Book of Abstracts Mental Health Conference 2024
Conference organisers: Lydia Sapouna, School of Applied Social Studies UCC, and Harry Gijbels, retired mental health nurse academic.
For more on this story contact:
Dr Lydia Sapouna (L.Sapouna@ucc.ie)